An architectural rendering of Brigil's proposed condo building at 121 Parkdale Ave.

Brigil is set to build the development, known as 121 Parkdale, on the same site as Tega Homes’ proposed Rhombus Tower, which was originally launched in May of last year but was later scrapped. Brigil, which recently announced it was working on developments in other areas of Ottawa, including Orleans, bought the property across from Tunney’s Pasture last year.

Brigil has said it plans to start work on the project this summer. It will be the company’s first such development in the central part of the city, and comes despite a recent downturn in the Ottawa condo market.

A Royal LePage survey earlier this month showed condo prices in the city declined 1.4 per cent to an average of $258,500 during the first three months of 2014.

The proposed building, which was designed by local architect Rod Lahey, features a two-storey podium with an outdoor pool topped by a rectangular 30-storey tower that will be a mix of steel, curved glass and brick. Units will range from about 650 to 1,000 square feet.

The ground floor has room for about 1,460 square feet of commercial space as well as an outdoor patio. Brigil is reportedly interested in bringing in a coffee shop to occupy the space.

Six levels of underground parking will include spots for 208 vehicles, with parking also available for 118 bicycles at the site.

With the main tower set back from the podium, Brigil says the building has been designed to fit in with the architectural character of the neighbourhood.

“The building’s tower and top have been designed to reduce the perception of the building’s size. Overall, the building achieves the appropriate transitions by incorporating a two-storey podium, thereby fitting into the existing and planned streetscape context of Parkdale Avenue. The landscaping features will help to soften the overall mass of the tower and enhance the experience for pedestrians,” the site plan says.

“Overall, the building will function within the surrounding context and will introduce a new modern esthetic to the existing community … The design of the proposed building was influenced by more recent design direction from the City of Ottawa, creating a taller, more slender building with a more distinct podium, tower and top.”